The Henry M. Jackson School For International Studies here at the University of Washington ("The Wash") is one of the more prestigious schools of its type in the nation. It ranks pretty close to the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University ("Life Under the Doomshield") and the Elliot School for International Affairs at George Washington University ("The School I Couldn't Have Afforded To Go To"). Although I have no real school spirit whatsoever, I'm actually very proud to have done (some of) my undergraduate work at Maxwell and to be doing my graduate work at Jackson. But there are times when I have to wonder if that pride has been misplaced. This is an excerpt from an email I received today, about a class I might be interested in:
The Center has another Canadian Studies class available for spring quarter -- Canadian Values and Symbols. The course if very popular and can only accommodate 15 students. This seminar, a response to the events of September 11, 2001, is a review of the factors in Canadian life, history, and experience, which have contributed to the formation of national values that shape Canadian life. It also examines the role of symbols in Canadian life, including the monarchy and the crown, peacekeeping and compromise, willingness to accommodate a wide variety of peoples within Canadian society and, wherever possible, draw on the values of other cultures.What the fuck?! Not to insult any Canadian readers I might have (or Canadian friends I do have), but what the fuck!? I have yet to be convinced that Canada is deserving of an entire Canadian Studies Center at the Jackson School or that someone should be able to get a Masters or PhD in it, but the idea of a class devoted to examining its particular symbols? It flat out says in the fucking course description that Canada is a country that has no culture of its own and draws them out of others! I'm not trying to act as the sole arbriter of scholarly worthiness here, but I really fail to see how you can take yourself seriously as a non-Canadian who is pursuing the study of Canada as a choice of discipline.
Comments (11)
Maybe we'd be more studyworthy if Uncle Paul was blue. So we could sing the praises to "Oh, Drakkanida!"
...and Shigo. Shigo could be an important, and respected, symbol of Canadian culture. The Symbol of Absolute Whup-Ass.
Posted by Bard | March 8, 2005 10:38 PM
Posted on March 8, 2005 22:38
I'm wondering how this course is a response to the events of September 11th????
Posted by Brian | March 9, 2005 4:00 AM
Posted on March 9, 2005 04:00
Right. I'm not sure how you get from "Islamic extremists attack infrastructure of American capitalism" to "hey, look at all the funny pictures on our Canadian money!"
Posted by Erik | March 9, 2005 6:46 AM
Posted on March 9, 2005 06:46
Because if you want a war cry, "Allaaaaaaaaaaah" works just the same as "Canadaaaaaaaaaaaaaah".
Posted by Bard | March 9, 2005 8:42 AM
Posted on March 9, 2005 08:42
Don't worry im sure you can study the culture of mexico.
You'll have your arms full with all the information
Posted by gus | March 9, 2005 9:11 AM
Posted on March 9, 2005 09:11
Bard wins. The image in my head now is priceless. Excuse me while I go get a towel for my monitor.
Posted by Erik | March 9, 2005 10:19 AM
Posted on March 9, 2005 10:19
If Canada were ruled by a supervillain bent on world domination, I would totally get my Masters in Canadian Studies.
I'm sure that some people living in the Marvel Universe doing Eastern and Central Europe Masters programs choose to study Latveria.
A Masters in Latverian studies...
Holy crap. That could be brilliant.
I have to think about this...
Posted by Jason | March 9, 2005 11:05 AM
Posted on March 9, 2005 11:05
"Bard wins."-Erik
Hurrah! I win, I win, I WIN! I don't lose! I *WIN*!
Ahem.
Posted by Bard | March 9, 2005 6:12 PM
Posted on March 9, 2005 18:12
To paraphrase one of the awesomest movies ever:
"You're a big winner. I'm gonna ask you a simple question and I want you to listen to me: who's the big winner here tonight at the casino? Huh? Bard, that's who. Bard's the big winner. Bard wins."
Posted by Jason | March 10, 2005 8:35 AM
Posted on March 10, 2005 08:35
I was actually quoting the Great Reducto from "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law". The man who also said:
"I've got a shrink gun. You don't want to be shrunk, do you? That's the POINT of a shrink gun! SHRINK GUN!"
Posted by Bard | March 10, 2005 12:39 PM
Posted on March 10, 2005 12:39
I have to confess that I think Swingers is cooler than Harvey Birdman. By a lot.
Posted by Jason | March 11, 2005 3:06 PM
Posted on March 11, 2005 15:06